Kraftelektroniken

Kraftelektroniken, or power electronics, is the field of electrical engineering that deals with the conversion and control of electric power using electronic switching devices. In Swedish, the term kraftelektroniken denotes the same field. It encompasses the design, analysis, and implementation of circuits that transform electrical energy from one form to another with high efficiency and reliability. Common tasks include rectification, inversion, voltage and current regulation, and power conditioning for grids, transportation, and industry.

Key components include semiconductor switches such as MOSFETs, IGBTs, diodes, as well as inductors, capacitors, transformers, and control circuitry. Circuits are typically implemented as switch‑mode converters, including switch‑mode power supplies, DC‑DC converters, AC‑DC adapters, inverters, rectifiers, choppers, and motor drives. Control strategies range from simple feedback loops to advanced techniques such as PWM, vector control, and model‑predictive control.

Applications span consumer electronics power supplies, computers, electric vehicles, renewable energy interfaces (PV inverters, wind converters), stationary storage systems, railway traction, and industrial drives. Efficiency, thermal management, reliability, electromagnetic compatibility, and safety are central concerns, as are standards and test methods from IEC, UL, and others.

Historically, the field emerged in the mid‑20th century with thyristors and diodes and matured alongside advances in semiconductor technology. The shift to IGBTs and MOSFETs enabled widespread switch‑mode conversion, and wide‑bandgap devices such as SiC and GaN are pushing performance further.

Ongoing research areas include advanced control methods, high‑efficiency topologies, multi‑level and modular converters, power quality, and integration with energy systems and smart grids.